Festival BOOKS

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HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS, COMICS & EVENTS

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Loud Poets This exciting collective of local poets give us a few nights of live

music and spoken word. See feature, page 34. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 556 9579, 13, 20, 24 Aug, 9pm, £8 (£6); just Festival, 226 0000, 15, 22 Aug, 10pm, £8 (£6).

Patrick Ness His acclaimed novel A

Monster Calls was based on one of Siobhan Dowd’s ideas so it’s only fitting that Ness delivers the inaugural Siobhan Dowd Trust Memorial Lecture. See feature, page 36. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 16 Aug, 5pm, £7 (£5).

Kevin Eldon The cult comic is in Edinburgh to talk about his new biography

of Paul Hamilton, his poet cousin. Who’s a real person, of course. See preview, page 38. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 16 Aug, 9.30pm, £10 (£8).

Diana Gabaldon As the TV adaptation begins broadcasting in the US, Gabaldon’s

Outlander series looks set for a Game of Thrones-style revolution. See column, page 38. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 18 Aug, 3pm, £10 (£8).

Haruki Murakami (pictured) The master of surrealism makes a rare appearance at

the Book Festival following the release of his 13th novel. See column, page 39. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 23 Aug, 3pm, £10 (£8); 24 Aug, 6.30pm, £10 (£8).

IDP: 2043 Denise Mina chats to Pat Mills, Irvine Welsh, Mary Talbot and other

contributors to landmark graphic novel, IDP: 2043. See feature, page 18. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 23 Aug, 6.45pm & 8.30pm, £10 (£8).

14–25 Aug 2014 THE LIST FESTIVAL 33

THE MOTH Legendary live event returns to Edinburgh

A literary phenomenon in its New York home for many years now, The Moth’s fame is extending rapidly overseas, partly through the open mic StorySLAMS in approaching 20 international cities which it uses to gather stories. Making its second ever appearance in Edinburgh this month, the event promises ‘true stories told in front of a live audience’ and will this year celebrate the launch of its first printed anthology.

‘The Moth is about story and storytelling, and we strive to keep it in balance,’ says artistic director Catherine Burns. ‘There will always be the raconteur who can make a story about going to the corner shop to pick up milk riveting, and of course we love people like that, but our audience also loves hearing from people who may not be great performers, but who have an extraordinary story to tell. They

want to hear from regular people.’ To this end, The Moth also has its own dedicated phone pitchline, and those who have called it to tell of their experiences often end up on the stage. Hosted by Scots comedian and writer Lynn Ferguson, this event’s four- act bill is yet to be completed, although the hope is that one or two non-performers will be on it. ‘So far we have the writer and Wellcome prize-winner Andrew Solomon, and the British writer, actor and comedian Omid Djalili,’ says Burns. ‘Omid has told stories for us before here in the States, and is a great raconteur, while Andrew is also a Moth regular.’ But the names aren’t important here - just the story. (David Pollock)

Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 23 Aug, 8pm, £10 (£8).